Kentucky Fruit FactsJanuary-February Newsletter 2018 http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-fruit-facts

John Strang, Extension Fruit Specialist, EditorDenise Stephens, Newsletter Designer

Inside this Issue: Fruit Crop News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Upcoming Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Thornless Erect Blackberry Cultivar Trial . . . . . . . . 3 Pesticide Certification: Who Needs It? . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Black Knot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Cane Diseases of Brambles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Receiving Fruit Facts on the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Fruit Crop News John Strang, U.K. Extension Horticulturist and Matt Dixon, U.K. Ag Meteorologist We are hopefully through the coldest portion of the winter and it is time to start pruning apple and pear trees. Prune the oldest trees first leaving your youngest until later in the spring. If you have semi-dwarf or dwarf trees that are spaced out and trained to a Central Leader this heritage video may help refresh your memory on pruning http://video.ca.uky.edu/videos/video/187/ If you have dwarf trees that are being trained to a Vertical Axis System this publication should be helpful http://www.uky.edu/hort/sites/www.uky.edu.hort/files/documents/appletraining.pdf Finally if you are training trees to the high density Tall Spindle System this YouTube video is very good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pngepwJFZGI Wait until March to prune peach and nectarine trees as they do not develop the same hardiness levels as apple and pear trees and pruning causes a localized de-hardening where pruning cuts are made. Examination of peach buds at the Princeton Research and Education Center and Lexington Horticultural Research Farm show little or no damage to peach flower buds. However, in early January temperatures were considerably colder in some areas than at our research stations. Matt Dixon in the U.K Ag Weather Center provided the Extreme Low Temperature map

of the state showing that we had a few spots that were particularly cold and peach flower bud damage probably occurred in these areas. The temperatures below 0°F more than likely caused damage to thornless blackberries. The rule of thumb is that for every degree below 0°F thornless blackberries lose 10% of the crop. Keep in mind that these low temperatures occurred in early January when blackberries were at their maximum hardiness level so there may not be any injury to plants where the temperature was a few degrees below 0°F. While pruning watch for signs of San Jose Scale in your trees. Feeding by each insect causes an increase in the reddish purple pigments beneath the bark leaving a small circular spot around the feeding site. The dormant oil or superior oil spray is normally used to control San Jose Scale and where serious problems are found growers may want to use the Esteem 35WP growth regulator between half-inch green and second cover on apple. The low rate is effective before bloom, but the high rate is necessary after bloom for control. Take a moment and check beneath your trees for vole tunneling. These short-tailed mice are plant feeders and when other forage is scarce and particularly when there is snow cover, they concentrate on chewing the bark off fruit tree roots. Control measures are in the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide. The 2018 Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide is out and there are a number of changes from the 2017guide. Hard copies are available through your Kentucky County Extension Office or it can be down loaded at no cost at https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Hort/Pages/sfg_sprayguide.aspx

Cooperative Extension Service University of KentuckyHorticulture Department1100 So. Limestone St.Lexington Ky 40546-0091(859) 257-2909Fax: (859) 257-2859extension.ca.uky.edu

Upcoming MeetingsAll times EST unless noted

Feb. 19 Orchard Production, Bullitt County Extension Office, 384 Halls Lane, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, 6:00 p.m. CST. Contact 502-543-2257. Feb. 22 Home Strawberry Production, Lyon County Extension Office, 231 Main St., Eddyville, KY 42038. 6:30 p.m. Contact 270-388-2341. Feb. 22-24 14th Annual West Virginia Small Farm Conference, Morgantown Event Center and Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV. To register see: https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/small-farm-conference Feb 23 Hands-on Fruit Tree Pruning Workshop, The Giving Fields, 101 Anderson Lane, Melbourne, KY 41059. 1:00-3:00 p.m. Limited class size, registration required. To register call Campbell County Extension Office, 859-572-2600 or register online at www.ca.uky.edu/campbell. Dress appropriately and bring pruning equipment if you have it. Feb. 23 Informal Apple Pruning Meeting, UK Research and Education Center, 1205 Hopkinsville Street, Princeton, KY 42445, 1:00-4:00 p.m. CST. Contact 270-365-7541 Ext. 262. Meet in lobby of main building and travel up to research orchard.Focus will be on pruning vertical axis apple and open center peach training systems, but will also give participants a chance to experience pruning a mature tall spindle apple training system. Feb. 24 Fruit Tree and Blueberry Pruning Demonstration, Valley View Orchard & Blueberries,

2606 Breeding Rd., Edmonton, KY 42129. 1:00 p.m. CST, Contact Metcalfe County Extension Office 270-432-3561. Feb. 24 Kentucky Superfoods (Blueberries) Co-op Association Developmental Meeting, Warren County Extension Office, 3132 Nashville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101, 3:30 p.m. CST, All growers are welcome. Contact 270-842-1681. Feb. 27 Apple Grafting Workshop, Taylor County Extension Office, 1143 South Columbia Ave., Campbellsville, KY 42718., 5:30 p.m., Contact: 270-465-4511. Mar. 1 Ohio Food Industry Summit 2018, Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center, 100 Green Meadows Drive S, Lewis Center, OH 43035 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Registration $145.00, ciftinnovation.org. Mar 2 Spring Viticulture Workshop, U.K. Horticultural Research Farm, 4321 Emmert Farm Lane, Lexington Ky 40514. Contact 859-494-1657. Mar. 3 Apple Orchard Field Day, Fleming County Extension Office and Morehead State University Farm, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. See program below. Mar. 5 Fruit Tree Sprays, Bullitt County Extension Office, 384 Halls Lane, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, 6:00 p.m., Contact 502-543-2257. Mar. 6 Fruit Grower Orchard Meeting, Mulberry Orchard, Matt and Amanda Gajdzik, 1330 Mulberry Pike, Shelbyville, KY 40065., 10:00 a.m., See program below. Mar. 6 Tree Fruit Pruning Workshop, Hopkins County Extension Office, 75 Cornwall Drive, Madisonville, KY 42431., 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CST.

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Contact 270-821-3650. Mar. 7 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop, Woodford County Extension Office, 184 Beasley Dr., Versailles, KY 40383, 6:00 p.m., Contact 859-873-4601. Mar. 8 Pruning and Grafting Workshops, Laurel County Extension Office, 200 County Extension Rd., London, KY 40741., 10:00 a.m. grafting; 2:00 p.m. pruning. Contact 606-464-2759. Mar. 8 Fruit Tree Pruning, 14691 Decoursey Pike, Morningview, KY 41063. 3:00-5:00 p.m. Dress for cold weather. Pre-registration required by phone at: 859-356-3155 or online at: https://kenton.ca.uky.edu/content/line-class-registration Mar. 9 Tree Fruit Pruning and Grafting Demonstration, Grayson County Extension Office, 123 Commerce Drive, Leitchfield, KY 42754, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CST. Contact 270-259-3492. Mar. 13 Pruning Demonstration, Clay County Extension Office, 69 Jameson Rd., Manchester, KY 40962. Meet at the Clay County Extension office at 1:00 p.m. and then carpool to the orchard demonstration at 1:30:p.m. Contact 606-598-2789. Mar. 15 Fruit Tree Pruning Demonstration, Earl Blackwell Farm, Estill County., 5:00 p.m., Contact 606-723-4557. Mar 20 Apple Grafting Workshop, Scott County Extension Office, 1130 Cincinnati Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324., 6:00 p.m., Contact 502-863-0984. Mar. 24 Plasticulture Strawberry Meeting, Wilson’s Cedar Point Farm, 66 Garfield Tarter Rd., Nancy, KY 42544, 10:00 a.m., EST Sponsored by the Kentucky Strawberry Association. Growers will have the chance to see Joel’s newest strawberry bed shaper and plastic laying equipment to make very high crowned beds and see the strawberry plant growth response. Contact Pulaski County Extension Office 606-679-6361 or Joel Wilson 606-305-8762. Mar. 26 Small Fruit Production, Morgan County Extension Office, 1002 Prestonsburg St., West Liberty, KY 40165, 6:00 p.m., Contact 606-743-3292 Apr. 10 Fruit Pruning Demonstration and Grafting Workshop, Cumberland County Extension Office, 90 Smith Grove Rd., Burkesville, KY 42717, 2:00 p.m. CST. Contact 270-433-7700. Apr. 13 Small Fruit Pruning, Woodford County Extension Office, 184 Beasley Dr., Versailles,

KY 40383, 6:00 p.m., Contact 859-873-4601. Apr. 16 Grafting Fruit Trees, Bullitt County Extension Office, 384 Halls Lane, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, 6:00 p.m., Contact 502-543-2257. Apr. 19 Plasticulture Strawberry Field Walk, Bob Craycraft Farm, 3075 E KY 8, Vanceburg, KY 41179, Lewis County, 5:00 p.m., Contact 606-796-2732 Apr 21. Kentucky Nut Growers Association Spring Meeting, Henderson County Extension Office, 3341 Zion Rd., Henderson, KY 42420, 9:30 a.m. CST. Contact Danny Ganno 270-860-8362.

Apple Orchard Field Day - Saturday, March 3Fleming County Extension Office1384 Elizaville Rd.Flemingsburg, KY 41041Phone: 606-845-4641Registration $10.00 covers lunch and materials

Program:All times EST8:30-10:30 a.m. Apple Tree Grafting Workshop – John Strang10:30-12:30 p.m. Rotating Sessions Wildlife Control - Matt Springer Insect Management - Ric Bessin Disease Management - Nicole Gauthier Apple Varieties and Culture - John Strang12:30 Lunch

Morehead State University Apple Orchard(Browning’s Apple Orchard)Wallingford, KY2:00 p.m. Tree Pruning and Wildlife Control Management – John Strang and Matt Springer

Fruit Grower Orchard Meeting - Tuesday, March 6Mulberry OrchardMatt and Amanda Gajdzik, owners1330 Mulberry PikeShelbyville, KY 40065Market: 502-655-2633Amanda Mobile: 502-220-7516Website: https://www.mulberryorchardky.com/

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Program:All times EST10:00 a.m. Registration & Tour of Mulberry Orchard and Farm Market – Matt Gajdzik10:45 Reading a Soil Test and Foliar Analysis - John Strang11:15 Trapping for Codling Moth, Oriental Fruit Moth, San Jose Scale and Brown Marmorated Stink Bug - Ric Bessin

11:45 Lunch will be available at cost for those that preregister. Preregister for lunch by calling Pam Compton at 859-257-2909 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EST weekdays by Monday, March 5 and give her a count for the Fruit Grower Meeting at Mulberry Orchard

12:45p.m. Are Mixed Orchards More Susceptible to Bitter Rot?- Madison McCulloch and Nicole Ward Gauthier1:15 Horticulture in The Other Transylvania - Chris Smigell1:45 Grower Round Table Discussion – Matt Gajdzik, moderator

Thornless Erect Blackberry Cultivar TrialBy Dwight Wolfe, Research Specialist, UK Research and Education Center, Princeton, KY

Three thornless erect blackberry named cultivars (Natchez, Osage, and Ouachita) and two selections (A-2434T and A-2491T) all from John Clark’s

breeding program at the University of Arkansas are being evaluated at the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center, Princeton, KY. Plants were established in the spring of 2013 in 2.5 x 12.5 ft. plots within rows spaced 18 ft. apart. Results based on the current recommended row spacing of 14 ft. are summarized in Table 1 for 2015 thru 2017.Pears Yields varied significantly among cultivars in all three years, although 2017 yields were lower than last year for all cultivars (Table 1). This season, as in 2016, Osage produced significantly more fruit than all other cultivars. A-2434-T was significantly more productive than A-2491-T, but not Ouachita or Natchez. A-2434-T, and Natchez (Figure 1) had significantly larger berries than all other cultivars/selections in all three years. However, berry size (as measured by weight per berry) for all cultivars averaged about 2 grams smaller this year and in 2016 compared to 2015, and most plants had smaller leaves in 2016, especially Natchez and A-2491-T (Figure 2). Smaller leaves were not evident this year (Figure 3.), but some plants might have been over cropped or stressed last year due to injury at the base of the floricanes that depleted most plant reserves to produce the fruit. Primocane growth in 2017 was vigorous and leaf size was good. All berries in this trial ripened over about a four-week period from about June 22 through about July 18. Data on taste was not collected in 2016, but was in 2017. All cultivars were rated good to excellent with no significant difference between cultivars being detected this season.

Table 1. Summary of results for 2015 thru 2017 from the Blackberry Cultivar Trial at UKREC, Princeton, KY.

Cultivar2015 Yield (lbs./acre)

2016 Yield (lbs./acre)

2017 Yield (lbs./acre)

2015 Size(grams/berry)

2016 Size(grams/berry)

2017 Size(grams/berry)

Osage 4,654 11,858 5,658 4.9 3.7 3.4A-2434-T 4,988 7,567 3,920 6.6 4.8 4.8Ouachita 3,961 5,545 3,675 5.1 3.6 3.8Natchez 4,953 3,054 2,247 9.0 4.8 4.6A-2491-T 4,036 2,263 2,120 4.4 2.8 3.9Mean 4,519 6,057 3,524 6.0 3.9 4.1LSD (0.05)* 1,618 2,337 1,747 0.5 0.4 0.6

*Means greater than the least significant difference are not statistically significant at 0.05 probability level.

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Pesticide Certification: Who Needs It?By Ric Bessin, U.K. Extension Entomologist

There has been some confusion with respect to who is required to have pesticide certification — either private or commercial certification. This article is based on information provided by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) to clarify this issue. KDA wants to make sure that everyone using pesticides on the farm is aware of who needs to be certified/licensed.What does it mean to be an applicator? This is more than just the person operating the sprayer/spreader or holding the spray wand. The person who handles the product while mixing and

loading the equipment is also considered an applicator. This makes sense as handling pesticide concentrates has a high potential for exposure. Any person making an application of a Restricted Use Product (RUP), including the person handling the product during mixing of the pesticide and loading the sprayer/spreader, must be a certified pesticide applicator.

Figure 4. Certification for both private and commercial applicators lasts 3 years with different requirements for re-certification (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

What are the types of certification? There are two types of pesticide certification: private applicator certification and commercial applicator certification. A private applicator is a person certified to use any pesticide for purposes of producing any agricultural commodity on property owned or rented by him/her or his/her employer. It also applies to applications made to the lands of a farmer-neighbor, if pesticides are applied without compensation other than trading of personal services between producers of agricultural commodities. So private applicators may apply treatments to their own property or their employer; they may even make applications for neighbors as long as they do not receive any form of a cash payment. A commercial applicator is defined as any person who engages in the business of applying any pesticide to the lands of another while receiving financial compensation. If the applicator charges a fee to make the pesticide application, they will need a Commercial Applicator’s License. There are a number of categories for commercial applicators, and some commercial applicators may need to be certified in more than one category to cover the types of work they perform. There are no categories with private applicatorwhen it applies to any and all pesticide applications to agricultural commodities. Certification can be through private certification.

Fig, 1 Natchez fruit and leaf size in 2014 and 2015

Fig. 2 Typical berry size in 2016. Note small floricane leaves.

Fig. 3. Typical growth and fruit size in 2017 just prior to ripening.Photo: G.Travis, UK

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The KDA also clarified that an individual making any application to an agricultural commodity must be a certified pesticide applicator. This is where there is some confusion: producers often think certification applies only to restricted-use products applicator or commercial certification.

Black KnotBy Kimberly Leonberger, U.K. Extension Associate, and Nicole Ward Gauthier, U.K. Extension Plant Pathologist

Black knot is a common, often serious, disease of plums and cherries in Kentucky. Trees in both commercial and residential plantings are susceptible to the disease. Black knot results in knotty growths that, over time, encircle limbs and result in branch death.Black Knot Facts• Symptoms begin as small, light brown, irregular swelling or knots on limbs (Figure 5). The next year, enlarging knots become olive- green with a velvety surface and progress to become hardened, brittle, black swellings (Figure 6). Knots, which can reach lengths of 6 inches, continue to expand each year until girdled branches eventually die.• Only actively growing twigs of the current season’s growth are susceptible.• While infection takes place in spring, knot development is not evident until autumn.• The pathogen overwinters in knots on previously infected twigs and branches, and spores are spread by wind and rain.• Caused by the fungus Apiosporina morbosa (syn. Dibotryon morbosum).

Management OptionsCultural practices, such as pruning and sanitation, are the primary means for reducing or eliminating black knot.• Prune out knots in autumn or winter after leaves fall and infected branches are easy to recognize. Inspect trees again in April and remove any newly formed knots.• Remove any trees with girdled trunks and/or large limbs.• Destroy or discard all diseased wood.• Remove wild plum and cherry trees from the vicinity.Fungicide applications may be used in conjunction with the cultural practices listed previously, but are often not warranted.• Fungicides can be applied in spring to protect young, expanding twigs.• Homeowners should refer to Extension publication, Disease and Insect Control for Home Grown Fruit in Kentucky (ID-21) for specific fungicide recommendations.• Commercials growers should refer to the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide (ID-232) for current fungicide recommendations.• Always follow all label directions when utilizing fungicides.Additional Information• Black Knot (PPFS-FR-T-04)• Disease and Insect Control Program for Homegrown Fruit in Kentucky, including Organic Alternatives (ID-21)• Backyard Peach & Stone Fruit Management Using Cultural Practices (with Low Spray, No Spray, & Organic Options (PPFS-FR-T-22)• Homeowner’s Guide to Fungicides (PPFS- GEN-07)• Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide (ID- 232)

Cane Diseases of Brambles (PPFS-FR-S-17)By Nicole Ward Gauthier, U.K. Extension Plant Pathologist

Several cane diseases commonly lead to the formation of cankers in Kentucky bramble plantings. If left unchecked, these fungal diseases significantly reduce overall yields and limit the longevity of

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Figure 5 Symptoms of black knot begin as small, light brown, irregular swellings or knots on limbs. (Photo: John Strang, UK)

Figure 6: The next year knots enlarge and become hardened, brittle, and blacken. (Photo: Dennis Morgeson, UK)

bramble plantings.

This publication discusses the three most commonly observed cane diseases in Kentucky: anthracnose, cane blight, and spur blight. Information on causes, symptoms, disease development, and disease management is included, along with color photos that can aid in diagnosis. Cane Diseases of Brambles (PPFS-FR-S-17) is available online. For additional publications on fruit diseases, visit the UK Plant Pathology Extension Publications webpage. Adjuvants and Surfactants; Some Labels Require ThemBy Dr. Ric Bessin, U.K. Extension Entomologist I have had several contacts with applicators this past summer who stated “I used product X according to recommendations and it didn’t work at all.” After making sure they used the correct rates, had thorough coverage, and used the correct product for the situation, it turns out they failed to use an adjuvants as required on the label. Not all insecticides/miticides require the use of adjuvants, but many will benefit from their use. In situations when an adjuvant is required and none is used, the effectiveness of the spray may be greatly reduced. Adjuvants are mixed into pesticide sprays to enhance the effectiveness of the pesticides or change the physical properties of the spray mixture. There are many types of adjuvants, including surfactants, drift control agents, colorants, compatibility agents, buffering agents, and defoamers. Surfactants are used to change the surface tension of the spray to enhance coverage of the plant and/or improve penetration into

leaf tissue. But not all surfactants work the same way, and they should not be used interchangeably. There are anionic, non-ionic, and organo-silicone surfactants. Generally, anionic surfactants are used with contact insecticides, which are intended to penetrate into plants. Non-ionic and organo-silicone surfactants act as spreaders and also help products penetrate the cuticle of leaves. Some of the insecticides that are systemic or locally systemic require the use of these penetrating agents to be effective. Using binders or sticking agents can interfere with this penetrating action and must be avoided with some systemic insecticides. Good examples of this include the Agri-Mek SC and Movento labels, which require the use of penetrating surfactants. Adjuvant recommendations/requirements are found in the ‘Direction for Use’ portion of the label or with the directions for use on specific crops. These labels indicate the specific types of adjuvants needed. Failure to follow these adjuvant requirements may result in ineffective sprays or even illegal pesticide residues on commodities. In fact, if required on the label, not using an appropriate adjuvant is a violation of the label. So as always, read and follow ALL label directions.

FRUIT HUMORHow do you make an apple puff?

Chase it roundthe garden!

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Figure 8. Many pesticides require the use of specific types of surfactant to be effective and safe (Photo: Ric Bessin, UK).

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Cooperative Extension ServiceUniversity of KentuckyHorticulture DepartmentN-318 Ag. Science Ctr. No.Lexington KY 40546-0091